Optic Neuritis in Childhood: Is the Prognosis Always Good?

We reviewed the records of 10 children with optic neuritis in whom vision recovery was poor or incomplete. Our cases were otherwise similar to those described in previous series in that they were always bilateral, often accompanied by a viral prodrome (7/10). and usually associated with disc edema (7/10). Eight of 20 eyes had a final acuity of20/200, and only one patient regained 20/20 vision in either eye. In 4 patients the best vision in either eye was only 20/200. Recovery of vision was often slow, taking up to six years. Five of 10 patients have developed multiple sclerosis (M.S.) One child had acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (A.D.E.) with optic neuritis. Optic neuritis in children does not always carry a good prognosis for vision recovery. Failure of vision to recover in a short time does not necessarily indicated a poor outcome, though. Some children with optic neuritis develop .S. M.S. can develop even when optic neuritis follows a viral illness.